Hello All,
We had the pleasure of viewing the single largest gull I have ever seen in the Pacific Northwest at the mouth of the Cedar River yesterday. This second winter gull was really something to watch as it flew and preened, then loafed until we headed home at 1420 hrs. Great Black-backed Gulls are fresh in my mind as I had the privilege of studying the species on the beaches of Cape Hatteras and Pea Island, North Carolina this last September. My perception is that this gull as a species, has a huge variation in structure, body size and plumage characteristics. Individual variation is pronounced when looking at a large number of these big gulls in a group. There appears to be little uniformity of type within any sample size with this species. The Cedar River bird fit all observed characteristics I saw in North Carolina for a second winter Great Black-backed Gull. Only the startling beak reminded me of another huge winter gull ( GLAUCOUS). We really enjoyed viewing this super find and the investment in time was well worth the chase. Well done Gene! Another reference that may help those in doubt is the book by Jim Enticott and David Tipling: Photographic Handbook of the Seabirds of the World, p.157, photo # 8. This book has an outstanding written description of this species in all age plumages.

P.S. Hope everyone is aware of the Clay-colored Sparrow down near Woodland, Cowlitz Co..At least this bird is not a gull!

Later Mike



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Mike & MerryLynn Denny
323 Scenic View Drive
College Place, WA 99324
509.529.0080 (h)

IF YOU HAVEN'T BEEN BIRDING, YOU HAVEN'T LIVED!
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